Former police chief still looking for final paycheck

IRVINGTON, NJ — Former Irvington Police Chief Chief Michael Chase said he has collected all but one of the paychecks the Irvington Police Department said he was paid last year.

Chase’s attorney, Joseph Donahue, said his client has received four checks from the state Civil Service Commission that the township owed him, but the former chief is still owed his final paycheck, which he needs in order to file his state income taxes properly.

Although Chase says he sent a letter to the Irvington Department of Revenue and Finance on Monday, March 27, stating he was still owed, and although state Civil Service Commission Chairperson Robert Czech stated in a letter dated Thursday, Feb. 23, that the township had until Sunday, March 26, to repay Chase, the issue was not resolved by press time this week.

“I can’t file my taxes properly if I claim income that I never actually received,” said Chase on Monday, March 27. “It would be against the law to knowingly file an incorrect or inaccurate income tax form. My entire career in law enforcement was predicated on upholding the law, not breaking it. I don’t want to start breaking it in any way, now that I’m retired.”

Mayor Tony Vauss could not be reached for comment.

  Irvington Police Department, Michael Chase